Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Suppressing her shock, Su Wan looked up at Chen Anran. "Anran, this is no ordinary item. Where... did you obtain it?"

Chen Anran had anticipated this question, chuckled, and began to make up a story: "When I was looking for my second senior sister in Guangshi, I came across a small shop called 'Yunshi Art.' The shop owner was an old man, and his shop was filled with all sorts of things that only cultivators could use, including these spirit-gathering stones. That's why I asked my second senior sister for fourteen million."

The hall fell silent again.

Feng Xiaolu blinked, looking at Chen Anran and then at the cloth bag in his hand, as if trying to estimate what treasures might be pulled out of it.

Su Wan gently stroked the warm, smooth spirit-gathering stone in her hand, feeling the stable and gentle fluctuations of spiritual energy within it. After a long while, she slowly spoke, "Anran."

"Senior Sister?" Chen Anran's heart skipped a beat.

"Do you know that a true spirit-gathering stone is a spiritual object nurtured by heaven and earth, containing natural spirit-gathering array patterns, which cannot be easily imitated by human hands. Even in ancient records, there are very few records of them in the mortal world." Su Wan raised her eyes, her gaze calmly falling on Chen Anran's face. "Mortal wealth may be able to buy some good talisman materials and spiritual medicines, but it is absolutely impossible to buy three spirit-gathering stones of such good condition and with such abundant spiritual energy."

Chen Anran chuckled and was racking his brains for a way to get away with it when Su Wan didn't pursue the matter any further, as did Wei Qingyi and Feng Xiaolu.

"Alright," Su Wan gently held the Spirit Gathering Stone in her palm. "Since An Ran obtained this item, it is his opportunity, and also an opportunity for my Cloud Hidden Sect. There's no need to delve into the specific details."

Feng Xiaolu stroked the spirit-gathering stone with obvious delight, saying happily, "With this, my cultivation will definitely advance by leaps and bounds in the next six months!"

Wei Qingyi also carefully put the stone away.

Su Wan steered the conversation back on track, "The outcome of the Righteous Path Conference to be held in our sect next year is uncertain. The sect's repairs need to be expedited, and our cultivation levels also need to be improved as soon as possible."

She looked at Chen Anran: "Anran, what are your plans regarding Fatty Li?"

Chen Anran already had a plan in mind and replied, "Senior Sister, Fatty Li is worldly-wise and familiar with worldly affairs down the mountain. If the sect wants to be self-sufficient in the future, relying solely on the previous savings and... occasional 'income' is not a long-term solution. I think we can let him set up and run a farmhouse inn down the mountain. Firstly, it can serve as a window for the sect to the outside world and gather information; secondly, it can provide the sect with a stable source of income."

After a moment's thought, Su Wan nodded in agreement: "You and he can discuss and handle this matter. Be careful not to attract too much attention."

"Understood," Chen Anran replied.

"As for Lin Xiaoman..." Su Wan pondered, "Since she is sincere in repenting and also understands pharmacology, the medicinal herb field on the back mountain will be entrusted to her for management."

With the plan settled and nightfall deep, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

In the following days, the Yunyin Sect was busy and full of life.

Under Zhang Laoshi's leadership, the craftsmen worked hard to complete the construction. The internal structure of the main hall and side rooms was gradually improved, and the square was also completely paved.

Li Pangzi, having received instructions from Chen Anran, was full of energy. The next morning, he went down the mountain to inspect the site and handle the procedures. He was so busy that he didn't have a moment to spare, but he didn't complain at all. On the contrary, he was full of energy.

Lin Xiaoman took her assigned work in the medicinal herb field very seriously. The field behind the mountain was nearly abandoned due to the sect's small number of members and lack of management; it was overgrown with weeds and the soil was infertile. But she wasn't discouraged. Every morning, she would take her tools up the mountain, clear the weeds, and till the land, working up a sweat without complaint. Although her past studies were somewhat unorthodox, she had considerable expertise in identifying herbs and understanding their properties. She carefully surveyed the soil and sunlight in the field, and had already planned which areas were suitable for planting which basic herbs.

Su Wan would occasionally go to the back mountain to check on Lin Xiaoman, and seeing how diligent she was, she showed some approval in her eyes. She found some common herb seeds stored in the sect and gave them to Lin Xiaoman, asking her to try cultivating them first.

Li Pangzi's side was also making good progress. Relying on the connections and insight he had accumulated over many years of business, he found a suitable old-style farmhouse at the foot of the mountain, near the tourist route, which was about to be sold due to poor management. He excitedly ran back up the mountain to report to Chen Anran, enthusiastically describing how the place was nestled against the mountain and by the water, and how it had the potential to be transformed into a high-end "farmhouse inn" integrating catering, accommodation, and tea tasting.

"Master Chen, don't worry! I've almost finished all the paperwork and negotiated the price. It'll definitely be great value for money!" Fatty Li patted his chest, his chubby face glowing. "Once our agritainment business opens, not only will we have income, but we'll also help our sect gain fame. In the future, when people mention Yunyin Mountain, won't they think of our 'Yunyin Cottage' first?"

Chen Anran affirmed his efficiency and ideas, allocated the initial funds, and put him in full charge of the renovation and recruitment of manpower, only instructing him to keep a low profile and not to be too ostentatious or get involved with the cultivation world.

The renovation project within the sect was nearing completion. The brand-new buildings and leveled plaza gave the entire Yunyin Sect a fresh new look. After finishing the final touches with his disciples, Zhang Laoshi received a generous reward and left the mountain, expressing his deepest gratitude.

The days that followed went by in an orderly fashion.

The four siblings are all working hard to improve their strength in order to prepare for the Righteous Path Conference and the unknown conspiracy of Vajra Temple in six months.

As for Xiao Ling'er, Su Wan did not ask her to do any extra training besides her daily practice.

No one would want to put a little girl through the crisis six months from now.

When September arrived, Wei Qingyi still planned to go to school to register. Su Wan and the others did not stop her. After all, with the blessing of spirit-gathering stones, spirit rice, and various fruits and vegetables full of spiritual power, she could cultivate anywhere.

The autumn mountain breeze carried a hint of coolness, rustling the newly planted green bamboo in the Yunyin Sect courtyard.

Wei Qingyi's luggage was simple: a few changes of clothes, her well-worn study materials, and her brand-new university acceptance letter. She stood before the newly renovated mountain gate, the morning light casting a warm golden glow on her cool, aloof figure.

Su Wan straightened her perfectly wrinkle-free collar and said softly, "Going on your journey to study is also a form of cultivation. Remember to keep in touch with your sect often, and don't overwork yourself."

"Senior Sister, I've got it." Wei Qingyi nodded.

Feng Xiaolu leaned closer and stuffed a bulging embroidered wallet into her hands, winking and saying, "Second Senior Sister, here are some new talismans I drew, and... hehe, a little 'activity money'! You should eat and drink well in university. If you run into any ignorant guys, just mention me... mention the name of our Yunyin Sect!" She originally wanted to mention herself, but after thinking about it, she decided to use the sect as a banner.

Chen Anran smiled and shook her head, handing a small cloth bag to Wei Qingyi: "Senior Sister, this contains some spirit rice and dried spirit vegetables. Take good care of yourself while you're out there."

Little Ling'er hugged Wei Qingyi's leg, tilted her little face up, and said in her childish voice, "Second Uncle, you must come back to see Little Ling'er soon! Little Ling'er will miss you!"

Wei Qingyi bent down and patted Xiaoling'er's head, her heart softening. "Yes, Second Uncle will be back during his vacation."

The holiday was during the Chinese New Year.